FALSE DOCUMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17997, 14 February 1924, Page 12

FALSE DOCUMENTS.

STUDENTS BEFORE COURT. (PEE a a ASSOCIATION TELEGBUt.) DUNEDUST, February 13. In the Supreme Court, the charges of forgery against Gordon Stuart McLauchlan and Herbert Hall Webb in connexion with examiations were resumed. Mr Callon, for the defence, submitted that the evidence failed to disclose forgery. It was necessary to establish that accused had made a false document, which was not proved. The practice had been shown to have frequently occurred in university and scholastic institutions throughout the EWorld, but counsel had never heard of any attempt being mado to institute forgery charges. It was not forgery to write another's name by arrangement with that person. The Judge ruled provisionally that the documents were false, announcing that he would state a case for the Appeal Court. He put the following questions for the jury to answer; —Was the slip on which McLauchlan wrote Webb's name and number a false document? Did MeLauchliin know when he made it that it was false? Did he intend it to be acted upon as genuine? Was the examination paper handed in a false document? Did he know it was false, and intend it to be. acted .upon? In respect to Webb, did-accused procure McLauchlan to write the slip on the examination papers? Stewart Bell McLennan was charged with having forged a slip purporting to be signed by McLauchlan in connexion with the music examination. The Judge agreod tp adjourn this caao, pending the decision of the Court uf Appeal. • The jury in tho McLauchlan-Webb case returned after fifty minutes with an affirmative answer to all questions. The Judge said that sentence would be respited, and a case stated for the Appeal Couirt. Bail was fixed at a nominal sum.